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Chapter 2 Your Growth and Development
Your
Personality
Sharpen Your Reading
Use the equation “All you are + All you do =
Personality.” Under each part of the equation,
summarize the key points from the text that illustrate
that part of personality.
Boost Your Vocabulary
For each key term, write an example of words that
people use to describe that trait in a person.
Know Key Terms
personality
self-concept
self-esteem
temperament
extrovert
introvert
If your best friend were asked to describe you,
what would your friend say? “She’s a lot of fun,
rather quiet, but a true friend.” “He is tall, very
outgoing, and a starter on the basketball team.”
When your friend describes you, he or she is
listing different parts of your personality. Your
personality is the sum of all your personal and
behavioral traits. These traits combine to make
you a unique person with your own personality.
Many researchers have studied the factors
that affect personality. Some look at the growth
of the self-concept and how a person’s view of
“self” affects behavior. Others study the natural
response patterns that people use to express
themselves. Still others study personality by
looking at how people respond to their human
needs. Your personality development will be
influenced in some way by each of these factors.
The Influence of
Self-Concept
Your self-concept is the mental picture you
have of yourself, 2-10. If you like the way you see
yourself, you will have a positive self-concept.
If you do not like what you see, you will have a
negative self-concept.
section
2:2
2-10
Your personality is influenced by how you see your-
self and feel about that mental image.